Portable dryer



PORTABLE DRYER Filed Aug. 17, 1965 heets-Sheet l MOTOR 36 OFF cow LOW 52 f 54 WALTER B. HARVEY H/GH MED I fEE fIT- INVENTOR.

FIG. 4

Dec. 12, 1967 1 w. B. HARVEY 3,

PORTABLE DRYER Filed Aug. 17, 19 65 2 Sheets-5heet 2 FIG. 8

wi xww United States Patent 3,357,109 PORTABLE DRYER Walter B. Harvey, 28 Brown Drive, Walpole, Mass. 02081 Filed Aug. 17, 1965. Ser. No. 430,318 3 Claims. (Cl. 34-91) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention has to do with a portable clothes drier and hair drier combination in which means is provided for directing heated air alternatively to a foraminous rotatable basket to dry clothes or to a connection to a hair drier.

Heretofore, clothes dryers have been manufactured as relatively large, heavy units adapted for stationary operation in either home or industrial installations. Moreover, although portable hair dryers have been developed, their combination with clothes drying apparatus has never been successfully accomplished. One object of the present invention is to depart from this conventional practice by providing a light-weight compact clothes dryer capable of being carried about in much the same manner as an ordinary handbag or piece of luggage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable drying apparatus which may be alternately used as either a clothes dryer or hair dryer.

A still further object of the instant invention is the provision of a simple means for converting the apparatus from hair drying to clothes drying.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination clothes and hair dryer incorporating a safety device which precludes the possibility of the user being accidentally injured.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of a portable combination clothes and hair dryer which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to certain of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a portable dryer constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line lI-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is'a partial sectional view with parts omitted taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit used in the invention;

FIG. 5 is a general perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the top and side covers and perforated clothing receptacle removed;

FIG. 7 is'a vertical sectional view taken through FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8'is a horizontal sectional VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 3, wherein are best shown the general features of one embodiment of view taken along line the invention, a portable dryer, designated generally by The housing is preferably lined with aluminum foil or similar material to keep heat in and to keep the exterior cool. A handle 22 extends upwardly from lid 18 to provide a convenient means for carrying the unit when the lid is closed and latched by means of snap latches 24. When the end cover 17 is latched in place by latches 26, the intermediate wall 16b serves, in eiTect, as a partition dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers 28a and 28b of different size. A removable tray containing an absorbent block is located at the bottom of the chamber 28a to collect moisture and lint.

A cylindrical clothes basket 30 is rotatably mounted within chamber 28a by means of short, axially-aligned end shafts 32a, 32b journaled in bearings in the end and intermediate walls 16a and 16b. Shaft 32b extends through intermediate wall 16b and is connected at its outer end by means of a gear set 32 to the vertically-disposed drive shaft 34 of motor 36. Motor 36 is mounted on the outside surface of wall 16b within chamber 281).

The end cover 17 is provided with an air inlet 38 which is connected by means of a duct 40 to an outlet 42 in intermediate wall 16b. The wall 16!) not only separates section 28a from 2815, but also provides a barrier against moisture and lint, protecting all electrical parts. An intake fan 44 is positioned within duct 40 and powered by the motor 36 through a second, horizontally-disposed drive shaft. The fan operates to draw air from the exterior of the housing through an inlet 38, a duct 40, and an outlet 42 into the interior of chamber 28a. The basket 30 is provided with perforations (indicated typically at 46) in its cylindrical wall in addition to perforations 48 in its end wall adjacent outlet 42. In this manner, air exiting from outlet 42 will enter immediately into the interior of basket 30 via perforations 48, thereafter leaving radially from the interior of the basket into chamber 2.8a through the perforations 46 in the side of the basket. The air will then flow upwardly in chamber 28a and exit from the housing through a filtered exhaust opening 50 located beneath handle 22 in lid 18. The end cover 17 is provided at a lower corner with a small door for storage of a long extension cord. In addition, a vent at the bottom of the chamber 28b provides cooling air for the motor.

A heater 52 in the duct 40 provides a means of heating the incoming air prior to its reaching the interior of basket 30. The heater 52 and the motor 36 are both controlled by a switch 54 mounted on the end cover 17. Referring next to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the switch 54 is.rotatably adjustable between HIGH, COLD, LOW and MED. contact points. When in the OFF position, as illustrated, both heater 52 and motor 36 are without current. When the switch is adjusted to the COLD position, the motor 36 is energized to drive fan 44 and basket 30, but the heater 52 remains de-energized. When switch 54 is adjusted to either the HIGH, LOW or MED. positions, motor 36 will be energized and, in addition, one of three resistors 56a, 56b, and 560 will be placed in series with heater 52 to vary the temperature of the air being heated. Included in the switch 54 is an automatic timer to control the length of the operation.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2 the duct 40 is provided with a branch extension 53 leading to an accessory outlet 64) in the end cover 17. The outlet 60 is suitably shaped to have inserted therein the end of a flexible hose 63 to which is connected a conventional hair dryer hood (not shown). A pivotal damper 62 at the junction between the duct 40 and the branch 58 is adjustable by means of an exterior knob 64 (mounted on the cover 17) from a clothes drying position, as indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 3, to a hair drying position, as shown in dotted lines. When in a clothes drying position, the damper 62 will close off the branch 58 and will allow air to pass through the outlet 42 into the rotating clothes backet. However, when in a hair drying position, the damper will direct the same flow of air into the branch 58, from which it will progress through the hose 63 to the hair dryer hood.

When the dryer is being loaded with clothing, the switch 54 will first be adjusted to the OFF position to deenergize both the motor 36 and heater 52. The lid 18 is then opened to permit access to the interior of chamber 280. At this point, it should be noted that a safety switch 68 is positioned on the interior of wall 14b adjacent one edge of lid 18. This switch is provided with an actuating arm 70 underlying a raised lug 72 on the inner surface of lid 18. When the lid is closed, the lug 72 contacts the actuating arm 70 to close the switch 68, thus permitting the motor 36 and the heater 52 to be energized, depending on the setting of control switch 54 (see FIG. 4). However, should the lid 18 inadvertently be opened Without first adjusting switch 54 to the OFF position, both the motor 36 and the heater 52 will automatically be de-energized by the opening of the safety switch 68.

Once the lid 18 has been opened, a second hinged lid 74 on basket 30 is provided to provide access into the interior of the basket. After clothes are deposited in the basket, both lids 18 and 74 are again closed and the control switch 54 is adjusted to the desired setting. The hair drying tube, hood, and other curling and drying equipment can be carried in the clothes drying tumbler. A compact unit containing all necessities for clothes drying and hair drying is thus provided.

When the unit is to be used for hair drying, one need only connect the hose 63 to outlet 60, after adjusting the knob 64 to the hair drying position. The same switch 54 may be utilized to control the temperature of air being directed to the hair dryer. 7

Referring next to FIGS. through 8, an alternate embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral a, is shown provided with a carrying handle 75 and with upper and lower removable lids 76 and 78. The interior of the housing is subdivided by an adjustable horizontal shelf 80 into upper and lower chambers 82 and 84. A drive motor 86 is mounted in lower chamber 84 and connected to an intake fan 88 positioned adjacent an intake port 90 which is exposed by the removal of lower lid 7 8. The motor 86 is also connected by a system of pulleys to two parallel shafts 92a and 92b journaled for rotation in the upper chamber 82. Gears 94 on the shafts 92a and 92b are positioned to mesh with circumferential ring gears 96 on the exterior of a cylindrical clothes basket 98 when the basket is held in its operative position by means of opposed open brackets 100 into which end shafts 102 on the basket 98 are seated. With this construction, the basket 98 may be removed entirely from the housing simply by lifting it through the opening afforded by the removal of upper lid 76.

The heater elements 104 are provided to the rear of the fan 88 in the lower chamber 84. With the horizontal shelf 80 adjusted to a position indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 7, a space 106 is provided through which the flow of air created by operation of fan 88 will rise. The air will then pass through the rotating perforated basket 98 in much the same manner as in the previously described embodiment. During a clothes-drying operation, the upper lid 76 is simply left ajar (as indicated by the dotted lines 76a in FIG. 3), thus allowing the air to escape from the dryer. A switch 112 on control panel 114 operates both the motor 86 and heater 104 through a control circuit identical to that discussed in FIG. 4 in connection with the first described embodiment.

When it is desired to employ the unit as a hair dryer, shelf 80 is simply adjusted to the alternate position indicated by the dotted lines. This effectively seals off the space 106 between upper and lower chambers 82 and 84 and directs the flow of air from fan 88 through the heating elements 104 into an accessory outlet 108 to which may be connected the flexible hose 110 of a hair dryer.

'In view of the above, it should now be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention provides significant advantages over prior art devices. To begin with, the apparatus is compact and light weight in construction, making it simple and convenient to carry when traveling. Moreover, the apparatus may be operated as a clothes dryer or, as a hair dryer. In the embodiment designated by the reference numeral 10, conversion from one to the other is accomplished by simply turning knob 64 to adjust the position of damper 62. In embodiment 10a, the same result is achieved by shifting the position of shelf 80.

Both embodiments employ perforated cylindrical baskets (30, 98) into which clothing may readily be deposited for drying. The baskets are rotated by a motor which also drives the intake fan to provide air circulation. By employing a single motor in this dual capacity, the overall weight of the apparatus is reduced while, at the same time, providing a cost saving.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1., A portable clothes and hair dryer combination comprising: a housing adapted to be carried in a convenient manner; a partition dividing the interior of said housingv into first and second chambers; a substantially cylindrical foraminous basket journaled for rotation within said first chamber; access doors in said housing and basket permitting the interior of said basket to be filled with clothes to be dried; an inlet opening in said housing ad-' jacent said second chamber; an air duct in said second chamber leading from said inlet opening to a first outlet extending through said partition into said first chamber; a second outlet extending through said housing into said second chamber; a fan for drawing air from the exterior of said housing through said inlet opening into said duct; a motor insaid second chamber driving both said basket and said fan; an exhaust opening in said housing leading from said first chamber; a hair dryer detach'ably connected to said second outlet; heater means in said duct for heating air being drawn therethrough by operation of said fan; and, damper means in said duct for alternately directing air flowing therethrough from said first outlet to said second outlet.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by means for rotating said perforated clothes receptacle in order to impart a tumbling action to clothes contained therein.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by means for automatically stopping said motor when the access door in said housing is opened.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,513,218 6/1950 Turnips'eed 206-4 2,679,112 5/1954 Thompson 34-55 X 2,787,841 4/1957 Warino 34-133 X 2,793,444 5/1957 Turner 34-433 2,858,619 11/1958 Hughes a 34-45 3,157,475 11/1964 Stainbrook 34-90 X FOREIGN PATENTS 631,390 11/ 1949 Great Britain.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner.

(I. R. REMKE, H. B. RAMEY, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A PORTABLE CLOTHES AND HAIR DRYER COMBINATION COMPRISING: A HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE CARRIED IN A CONVENIENT MANNER; A PARTITION DIVIDING THE INTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING INTO FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS; A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL FORAMINOUS BASKET JOURNALED FOR ROTATION WITHIN SAID FIRST CHAMBER; ACCESS DOORS IN SAID HOUSING AND BASKET PERMITTING THE INTERIOR OF SAID BASKET TO BE FILLED WITH CLOTHES TO BE DRIED; AN INLET OPENING IN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID SECOND CHAMBER; AN AIR DUCT IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER LEADING FROM SAID INLET OPENING TO A FIRST OUTLET EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PARTITION INTO SAID FIRST CHAMBER; A SECOND OUTLET EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOUSING INTO SAID SECOND CHAMBER; A FAN FOR DRAWING AIR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID INLET OPENING INTO SAID DUCT; A MOTOR IN SAID SECOND CHAMBER DRIVING BOTH SAID BASKET AND SAID FAN; AN EXHAUST OPENING IN SAID HOUSING LEADING FROM SAID FIRST CHAMBER; A HAIR DRYER DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND OUTLET; HEATER MEANS IN SAID DUCT FOR HEATING AIR BEING DRAWN THERETHROUGH BY OPERATION OF SAID FAN; AND, DAMPER MEANS IN SAID DUCT FOR ALTERNATELY DIRECTING AIR FLOWING THERETHROUGH FROM SAID FIRST OUTLET TO SAID SECOND OUTLET. 